Interfering with Employment may be an act of Domestic Violence
An Ocean County trial court judge has recently ruled that interfering with someone’s employment could be considered an act of domestic violence pursuant to the statute. In C.G. v. E.G., a woman returned to work as a restaurant waitress after her separation from her husband. Subsequently, her then ex-husband began sending her text messages threatening to interfere with her job and he called her workplace in an effort to have her terminated.
In this unpublished opinion, Judge Jones concluded that an act of domestic violence had occurred and a final restraining order was entered against the ex-husband. Judge Jones put significant emphasis on the importance for one to have the ability to work without fear and distraction. He specifically wrote that “for people simply trying to make a living and pay their bills, employment stability and security is an extremely important issue.” The fact that there was no physical abuse in this case had no bearing; economic abuse in amongst itself could be enough under the circumstances.
This case should continue to serve as a cautionary tale that the domestic violence statute is often viewed very broadly by the court. Judge Jones wrote that acts of harassment could include threats to call an employer, actual calls to an employer, or unannounced visits to the work site. As always, one must think before they act.
All of the attorneys at Domers & Bonamassa are well versed and have years of experience addressing family law issues, no matter how complicated. Contact us today at (856) 596-2888 for a private consultation. We appear in the following counties: Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Cumberland, Salem, Mercer, Ocean, Atlantic and Cape May. Our practice areas include: divorce, custody, parenting time, child support, alimony, domestic violence, college expenses, equitable distribution, name changes, step parent adoptions, paternity issues, child abuse and neglect, prenuptial agreements, mediation and arbitration.
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